Clutch won’t release

[Paul Sevigny]

Working on getting a 35 truck back up and running. It had been sitting for 6 years with radiator and water pumps removed. Installed new water pumps, rebuilt fuel pump and carburetor and engine runs great. Went to take it for a ride but clutch does not disengage. Shifts with truck shut off and clutch depressed. Start truck push in clutch and it grinds when trying to get into gear. With engine shut off and truck in gear with clutch pushed in it won’t free wheel. Thoughts? It ran and drove good 6 years ago prior to being worked on.

[38bill]

I'd guess that the disc is rusted to the flywheel and/or pressure plate so it won't release.

[sugarmaker]

Paul,
Welcome to the Ford Barn.
Sounds like the clutch disc is stuck/ to the pressure plate surface. Might be a way to loosen it but I am not sure its like my older truck. Mine has a cover in front of the transmission on top of the bell housing. I think you could get to the clutch throught there>
Someone that knows more than me will be along shortly!
We could use some pictures.
Regards,
Chris and Cheryl

[Lanny]

Paul, have you got a good open space to drive the truck around
on your property. If you have some space to drive it in circles,
then put it in gear, hold the clutch pedal down, and start it up
and drive it around and the clutch should come un-stuck
fairly quick.




.

[alanwoodieman]

I took one with stuck clutch down a 4 lane highway varying the speed all with the clutch pushed in=finally after a loud bang it released-do not do a dumb thing that I did. my 41 I finally had to pull the trans and pry the disc off the pp--what a job on a truck like yours with closed drive shaft

[oldbugger]

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Most years after winter storage mine is stuck also. I make sure i have nothing in front of me and put it in 3rd, clutch down, and try to start it. that always frees mine, so far with no damage.

[38 coupe]

The advice I was given years ago that worked for me involved a few steps.
1 - Let the engine run for a while to warm up the clutch and flywheel as much as possible.
2 - Turn off the engine and put the car in high gear.
3 - Make sure you have lots of room in front of the vehicle.
4 - Stand on the brakes and clutch at the same time (you must have good brakes for this to work) and start the engine.

The other advice I read but never had the need to try was to wedge something to hold the clutch pedal down all the way and leave it that way for a week or two. That takes the pressure off the clutch disk and sometimes helps before going through the above steps.


As others have said, have lots of space and be safe when doing this.

[GB SISSON]

My '47 2 ton was problematic in the same way every Spring. Everything said here has merit. Something always worked for me, sometimes a combination of these methods. But there is most likely something sticky like old oil on your clutch. With somewhat regular use in the warm weather it stays free. Here's my lesson I learned. In the Fall when you put it away, cut a 2x4 reaching from the steering wheel to the depressed clutch pedal as a prop. In some cases a prop from the seat or under dash will work better. In the Spring toss the 2x4 in the bed and you are on your way!

[Mart]

I had this recently on my recently resurrected Ford Anglia. I drove around trying to free the clutch but it did not free up. It did a little while later while trying to start the motor with clutch down in top gear.
here is a link to the video:
https://youtu.be/IcJa7e5Vaks

[38bill]

Back in the day a common practice was to push the front bumper up tight to a stout tree and then with the clutch pedal depressed try to start it in gear .

[Jack E/NJ]

If you can access the tranny's inspection cover, you might try liberally spraying WD-40 or diesel near the top of the flywheel. Prop the clutch pedal down. Then let it marinate for a few days to see what happens.

[Paul Sevigny]

Thanks for everyone’s input. I will prop a stick under the dash for now to see if it does anything. I’m in NH and we have some snow coming so I’ll wait for better weather to try driving it around. This is my first experience with a truck of this age so I’m definitely green. Can someone tell me what the shifting pattern is?

[Paul Sevigny]

Thanks for all the help. I’ll try propping a stick under the dash for now. We have snow coming so I’ll wait for better weather to drive it. I’m green as it comes with these old trucks. Can someone tell me the shifting pattern so I’ll be ready to try the starting technique.

Thanks again.

[69a]

I wouldn't use WD40 or any petroleum based lubricant. Any oil that comes into contact with clutch/brake linings is asking for trouble.

[my4dv8]

I have had a clutch stick occasionally, but not as long as a 6 year hiatus. Mine always free up by starting in 2nd or 3rd gear. You could try it it an open space of course. It costs nothing to try .

[3twinridges]

Originally Posted by 69a

I wouldn't use WD40 or any petroleum based lubricant. Any oil that comes into contact with clutch/brake linings is asking for trouble.

Agreed!

JB

[kurt v]

prop the clutch peddle down put trans in 3rd and rock the truck

[Jack E/NJ]

Light weight distillates like WD-40 or diesel won't last long on the surfaces in this area. IMO, a lot less danger & stress on parts than trying to start the thing in gear.

[cmbrucew]

Originally Posted by Jack E/NJ

Light weight distillates like WD-40 or diesel won't last long on the surfaces in this area. IMO, a lot less danger & stress on parts than trying to start the thing in gear.

WD40 is a water displacer not a lubricator. Spray some on a metal surface in the weather and see how long until it disappears.


Bruce

[69a]

The main ingredient in WD40 is oil. Paraffin or kerosine.